Corticosteroids inhalers do appear to stunt growth, but not by a significant degree (Picture: Terry Morris)

Scientists have found that asthma inhalers may stunt the growth of children – but stress that it is a small price to pay for protection against asthma attacks.

Scientists found that using a corticosteroid inhaler can cut growth rates of children and teenagers by about half a centimetre in the first year of treatment, according to a study published in the Cochrane Library.

Using data on more than 8,000 asthmatic under-18s, the research team found that the group grew less than the 6cm – 9cm average in the first year, but the effect was ‘not cumulative’.

‘This effect is less pronounced in subsequent years, is not cumulative, and seems minor compared to the known benefits of the drugs for controlling asthma and ensuring full lung growth,’ said Dr Linjie Zhang, from the Federal University of Rio Grande in Brazil.

Though asthma users have feared side effects from using inhalers, the evidence shows only a minor impact (Picture: Levent Konuk)

Experts had suspected that inhalers may stunt growth, but said the studies now show the effect is not severe.

‘For a long time now people with asthma have told us they fear the side effects of taking asthma medicines but the good news is this evidence shows only a relatively minor impact from inhaled corticosteroids,’ Samantha Walker, director of research and policy at Asthma Research UK, told The Mirror.

‘No parent should therefore stop their children taking these lifesaving medicines.’